Torphichen clears the last under Mark Walsh© Photo Healy Racing
< Torphichen landed the feature race on the first day of the Listowel Festival with a commanding success in the Dawn Milk Handicap Chase.
Back with Edward O'Grady after a spell in England, the JP McManus-owned seven-year-old was never far off the pace in the hands of Mark Walsh and had Ordinary Man for company entering the closing stages of the race.
Torphichen looked to have taken his rival's measure when Ordinary Man fell at the second-last, and the 2-1 favourite was able to coast in 26 lengths clear of the never dangerous Mossey Joe
The victory completed a double for Walsh in the familiar McManus colours after Pat Flynn's Galianna (10-1) stayed on best to take the Low Low EBF Mares Handicap Hurdle.
Ruby Walsh has been out of action since breaking his ankle at Galway and he blew away the cobwebs with a superb ride to get the Willie Mullins-trained Rattan home in front in the Kerrymaid Hurdle.< Miley Shah looked to have his measure coming down the straight, but didn't jump the second-last at all well in front and with the 4-9 favourite still in contention, Walsh drove him into the lead on the run-in and stayed there for a head victory.< Fair Dilemma put up a terrific performance to lead all the way in the Cheestrings Beginners Chase on Paddy Mangan's return to action.
Jimmy Mangan's seven-year-old (12-1) jumped well in the main and had plenty in the tank coming down the straight to hold off Mackeys Forge who was always prominent, by two and a quarter lengths.
Eugene O'Sullivan's juvenile Habesh (9-1) quickened up going to the final flight under Paddy Kennedy in the Kerry Ingredients & Flavours 3-Y-O Hurdle and readily beat penalised favourite Top Man Michael by a length and a quarter.< Roadtoabbeyfeale trained locally by John Supple, landed a gamble down to 100-30 when he stormed away with the Charleville Cheese Maiden Hurdle, winning by four and a half lengths under Eddie O'Connell.
